It’s February 7th, people! One week ’til Valentine’s Day…

Have you seen them? Down every drug store aisle and big box shopping arcade, pink and red and lace-y paper frills are lurking. The greeting card section in my neighborhood stationery store has turned into a riot of heart-shaped cut outs and glitter. Not that it’s a bad thing, mind you…just a bit much, if one is still recuperating from the paper-y pleasures of Christmas.

i miss those hershey's kiss postage stamps...

February 14th is looming, and last Thursday night, I had no choice but to jump into the deep end of the pool! The Bold Italic was launching issue #2 of their delightful new magazine (Red Letter Day is a featured artist in the article “Let’s Get Physical” — all about being an analog-type of artist here in SF); together with the Noise Pop music festival, they decided to throw a party – and invited Red Letter Day to be part of it!

step right up and pick a postcard, any postcard...

People like making valentines, right?

Yes, yes they do. See below:

my heart is melting...

Party-goers were encouraged to sit down at the table and fill out a postcard to their sweeties. Rubber stamps, colored pencils, and a selection of art supplies were on hand for folks to get their message across…

I couldn't get an -actual- blue box, but maybe someday...

Once folks were finished with creating, I handed over two postage stamps (had to use a “make up” three cent stamp, in addition to the regular postcard stamps…) so everyone could stamp their own cards. A mock mailbox awaited, ready to receive freshly completed postcards!

the new valentine's day zine!

To share the love a bit more, I gave away copies of my newly minted (printed?) zine called “Won’t You Be Mine?” Making handmade valentines, the romance of love letters, a smattering of fun illustrations and you’ve got an idea of what this baby’s all about.

love? check. creativity? absolutely...

“The last time I made a valentine like this was in grade school…” – a common refrain heard throughout the night, as people excitedly sat down at the table to put something together. Nearly everyone spent time looking up an address of some sort on their cellphone; it was unanimously decided that no one remembered anyone’s mailing address anymore.

I’ll confess: before the party started, I had a moment of doubt. “What if nobody’s into the idea of making valentines? What if there’s just a bunch of jaded party people standing around looking at my funny little table, thinking that February 14th is stupid?” But none of those things happened. San Francisco showed me that it actually loves the love, at least at this time of year. And you know what? It’s one of the things I love about SF.

OMG! does anyone know where i can get those "please wash hands" labels?

So with that being said, I’ll leave you with two things.

A) Here are instructions to an amazing Victorian Puzzle Purse. Book artist Alice Simpson has used this type of folded structure for many of her artist book projects, and demonstrated how to create this gem in the magazine Bound and Lettered (vol 4, #3). My hint for you: work with a square of paper that can easily be divided into thirds (i.e. 6×6 inches, or 9×9). Useful for hiding a tiny Valentine’s Day treat or writing a note to your secret crush!

B) Interested in a copy of “Will You Be Mine?” – if the answer is yes, follow these steps:

–comment below with your name. The first 14 folks to do so will receive zines. (Correspondence Co-op members: you’re already in the loop!) –email me with your “real mail” address. I can be found at redletterdayzine@gmail.com –send me a valentine and I bet you’ll get some bonus points! 😉

See, that was easy! Now it’s up to you to get to work: red construction paper, a glue stick, and as many heart shaped rubber stamps as you can find. Remember: the most important thing about making a valentine is the sentiment; there are millions of ways to let somebody know how you feel, but I hear that “I love you” is always in style…

42 Responses

Woot! You have been counted… 🙂
Did you know about those puzzle purses? Totally adorable. The folding of the actual purse part can be a little confusing; I may try to film a demo and upload over the next couple days, for the folks at home and such. But after the first couple million, I’m sure you’ll be able to fold ’em in your sleep!
–JH

aack! I was just going to comment, “Where can i BUY one of those zines?” AND, before I scrolled down and saw your comment, I was thinking, “Man, I loved those Hershey kiss stamps…” 🙂 You make me want to move to San Francisco…but I have the LWA here to satisfy my letter writing social needs 🙂

Miss Kimberly —
#2 for you! And yes, I do miss those Hershey’s kisses, although this February’s “Love” stamps are pretty good, design-wise…
And yes, you do have a GREAT resource as far as they LWA is concerned; they make ME want to move to Chicago! 🙂
–JH

Thank you for the inspiration. I only wish we had workshops like that in my town. Perhaps I will just have to cook up something of my own:) I am excited to send out Valentines this year. I love making them.

I absolutely encourage you to “cook something up” at your local library, middle school, or community center! It’s amazing what can be accomplished with a bit of initiative and a bag of rubber stamps!
Zine #6 is yours, if you’d like it…
–JH

Sometimes the best valentine (not to sound too sappy about it) is spending time with friends, goofing off with paper and scissors! 🙂 Will you be doing a repeat performance of the Cafe Valentine project? Y’all could pick a coffee shop close to a PO or mailbox, and then mail everything away when you wrap up your coffee klatsch…
I’ve got your mailing addy, and zine #8 is yours!
–JH

Love the Victorian Purse directions! I’ve never seen this done before…with that said I love your blog from week to week….too bad we didn’t have your cool get togethers here on the East Coast. Maybe I should start one! Fairly new to the mail art venue but having a great time meeting all sorts of people!

Isn’t that puzzle purse the coolest? Towards the middle, it gets a little tricky; it took me a couple tries (and maybe, possibly a glass of wine) to figure it out. But well worth the payoff!
I’ll be happy to send you zine #9, if you’d like…
–JH

Yikes! SWEET post! (sorry, I had to say it…) Miss JH I am working on my Valentine post and cards today and you beat me to the punch. Love everything–the photos, the ideas, your mail art and of course your zine! Oohlala I want one. Happy Valentine’s day to you — and of course you are getting a Valentine from me.

hee hee! The “sweet” was too good not to use… 🙂
I started work on my valentines yesterday; I’ve got a little special something up my sleeve for the Co-op swap, and I’m pretty stoked about it. Hint: they’re gonna be flux-y! I’ve got a zine set aside for you; hopefully will mail tomorrow or Thursday…
–JH

I think the best part of doing kindergarten twice was I got to do the post office at Valentines 2 years in a row! I loved sorting the mail and delivering all the fun notes to all the kids and making our mail boxes out of paper bags and construction paper. Now as an adult I always look forward to the little something special you always so selflessly send off to me. I still have the little heart pillow you gave me so many years ago. I am so looking forward to what surprises lie ahead for me this year. forget the chocolate, you can get that for half price on the 15th. I want a card!

Lucky #10 belongs to you, my dear! I’ve already got your mailing address taped to the wall of my studio — no need to send it to me… 🙂
I ADORE your story about sorting valentines in kindergarten; had you mentioned it before? I can just imagine you sorting everything by color, and then making all of your classmates line up in an orderly fashion…and of course, I’m sure you had the PERFECT outfit!
–JH

Thanks for the input! There are a couple of things I’d like to fine tune with the mailbox, but I’ll get around to doing that before Easter… 😉
Zine #11 has your name on it, if you send along your mailing addy.
–JH

Phew! Once again, [SF Correspondence Co-op] Membership has its benefits! 😀 I woulda missed out on your lovely zine by the line of replies on this post. So bummed I missed the Bold Italic event, but glad to see it was a great success!!! K… best finish up my other mail art projects so I can get my V-Day cards out on time!! Two of you gals already received my “Be Still My Heart” lino cards this past year, so you get something unique apart from the rest of the “Gang!” 😀

Yippee! I loved your “Be Still” print; you always do such lovely work. Carving lino is no easy task; I greatly admire you for being such an ace at it.
No worries about missing the BI event; it was fun, but there will be other chances! And you are correct: being a member of the Co-op does have that “little something extra” — in this case, a zine! I’ll send yours along in the next couple days… 🙂
–JH

Mahalo for the inspiration! I have 1000 marketing folders in red burgundy you just inspired me to recycle. The mock mailbox reminded me of Charlie Brown’s class when they’re putting the valentines to one another in it and there’s none for him. Thanks for the inspiring post as I conjure up some Valentines to send to my single friends and family to let them know they’re loved.

Poor Charlie Brown! I always felt bad for him, whether it was the valentine’s day cartoon or the one about the bedraggled Christmas tree…
As for those burgundy folders: it sounds like they’re well on their way to being something so much more chic! One of my favorite things to do is write with white pen on maroon or black postcards; that might be a cool effect, when addressing your cards.
Would you like to receive zine #12? I have your mailing addy on file, and #12 is yours if you want it!
–JH

What a great post! I can’t wait to try the Victorian Purse, just the thing for slipping my love a note in his lunchbox. Somehow without really trying, bats often end up as my Valentines card motif. It happened again this year so I’ll have to send one off to you. I would LOVE a zine if you have any left. It’s so good to hear that folks still enjoy making cards.

I LOVE the fact that bats are your (consistant) valentine’s day motif! I mean, why not? Bats are lovable too, no?
And guess what? In keeping with the slightly spooky theme, zine #13 is yours! Just send me an email with your mailing address…
🙂
–JH

You just slipped in under the wire, and take the last copy of “Will You Be Mine?”. I will gladly wrap up zine #14 in a red paper doily and send it to you! I believe you have already sent me an email with all of the pertinent info…
🙂
–JH

As you know, I am madly in love with all things paper and mail, so what’s not to love about Valentine’s Day? Plus there’s chocolate! I just learned to make those paper purses at the local historical society on First Friday. They featured love letters, and they invited me to stop by and promote the Lancaster County stamp. I would love a copy of your new zine too! Thank you for sharing the love!

Love this post…reading it as I sit down to create some valentine chaos! And the zine—-I think I missed the 14th cut off, any other route? PS Just mailed two of your zines now well read and savored to a friend who asked me the other day, “what is a zine?” Woo hoo, she is in for a treat!

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